recomend a watercooled torch

[dannyp]

been meaning to upgrade to a watercooled torch for a while now as i keep cooking my aircooled ones, picked up a s/h watercooler the other day so just need to sorce a torch now,

had a look on the likes of ebay but seem to be full or really basic chineese torches altho they are nice and cheep they look like they will be horible to use for any length of time.

the machene is an R tech 251 - 250A ac/dc

 

[chevy2]

The CK ones are good quality with claimed duty cycles on them higher than most other torches of the same size.

 

[wheresmejumper]

this came up a few weeks back
so cheap i nearly bought one,with no intention of getting a w/c
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CK-180-Water-Cooled-3-8m-Tig-Torch-3-8-BSP-Comparible-to-Weldcraft-WP24-/330928875494?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4d0ce5e7e6
its even cheaper than chinese tat,would pay for itself after 1 job

for normal size ck trimline is nice

 

[FranV8]

I got a Star parts one from RTech in the end, price was acceptable once you look onlineand get the real price for a torch wwith the right options for you. Most will need things like adapters to fit the RTech, as it needs Dinse power connectors, and threaded fitting for gas. Don'tfor get to include them in your total price for going water cooled.

 

[dannyp]

it's allways the compulsory extra bits that do the damage

 

[dannyp]

was looking at the weldequip parweld ones , problem is as the £'s go up the more i want to pick it up and see what i feels like before buying.

 

[Dave Richards]

TIG Torch

We only use Weldcraft TIG torches, can't fault them though you may find them a bit expensive.

 

[Georgie]

which ones come with the most flexible hose??

im looking a buying one, but don't see which to get as the one im wanting to replace has 3 hoses going to the torch head..

 

[chevy2]

which ones come with the most flexible hose??

im looking a buying one, but don't see which to get as the one im wanting to replace has 3 hoses going to the torch head..

Apparently the most flexible hoses are the CK superflex,
3 hoses? That'll be one power cable and the 2 feed and return water hoses making 3.

 

[dannyp]

power lead has the gas going up it or one of the water lines iirc

 

[Jim Davey]

Power and hot water return in one pipe together, with a cold water feed direct to the head and gas being the other two hoses.
Anything rubber and overbraided will be pretty flexible and will compare favourably to PVC hoses. However some overbraided hoses are made from natural latex which can break down and perish under certain conditions causing premature failure and leaks.
Avoid natural latex hoses wherever possible and look for silicone or synthetic rubber overbraided hoses.

 

[Georgie]

Thanks Jim. It sounds as thos your saying 4 hoses. One (hot water+power) one (cooled water) and two??(gas?)

Mine has clearly 3 hoses... Just trying to understand better in order to purchase the right hose for my application.

Im willing to spend up to 300 candian dollars(roughly 300USD)

Thanks

 

[hotrodder]

All water cooled TIG torches have 3 hoses, as Jim said

Power and hot water return in one pipe together, with a cold water feed direct to the head and gas being the other two hoses...

The water return is used to cool the power line

 

[Jim Davey]

If you are spending that kind of cash check out the Yank made Speedway
Torches, you'll struggle to find anything superior to that.

 

[chevy2]

All water cooled TIG torches have 3 hoses, as Jim said



The water return is used to cool the power line

I would've thought the more efficient method of cooling the torch and power cable is to use the feed water from the cooler and not the already heated water from the torch?

 

[Jim Davey]

I would've thought the more efficient method of cooling the torch and power cable is to use the feed water from the cooler and not the already heated water from the torch?

Nope, the head is the bit exposed to the greatest amount of heat, it follows that it needs the fresh supply of coolant to prevent overheating. The power cord is more than sufficiently cooled by the heated water returning down it. So long as the cooler is up to the task or the torch duty cycle isn't abused

Everyone wants to use a WP20 for welding oil tankers these days

 

[HughF]

Biggest prob with a wp20 is getting a 3.2 mm tungsten into a gas lense on one..... Handy for the thick ally

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

We use the star parts wp17 and 9 on out tig welders at work. The 9 is a nicer torch to use. The 17 is a bit agricultural and the switches in the torches are poo

 

[Georgie]

If you are spending that kind of cash check out the Yank made Speedway
Torches, you'll struggle to find anything superior to that.

Jim, have you ever used one? And how would.i hook it up if its one hose and my machine has 3 hook ups for the torch?

What about ck superflex?

 

[Jim Davey]

Jim, have you ever used one? And how would.i hook it up if its one hose and my machine has 3 hook ups for the torch?

What about ck superflex?

Of course, and there are three pipes to connect;
Power/water return, cold water feed and gas.
As standard they are all 3/8" connections, but there are many different types of connectors on the various welding machines out there so we ascertain the connection details of the customers machine so we can send out torches that fit without dramas.